Wanamaker, John

1838 – John Wanamaker was born on July 11th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. United States department store merchant.

1858 – A devout Presbyterian, he founded the Bethany Sunday School, and supported temperance and the Pennsylvania Blue Laws.

1861 – After a few years as secretary of the Philadelphia Young Men’s Christian Association, he and his new brother-in-law, Nathan Brown, opened a men’s clothing store called "Oak Hall".

1869 – Wanamaker opened the more fashionable John Wanamaker & Company.

1877 – He opened a number of "specialty shops" that flourished after a year.

1889 – Awarded for his support of Benjamin Harrison, he was made Postmaster General of the United States and created several improvements, including the introduction of the Parcel Post system.

1898 – He was made a Mason-At-Sight with two other candidates, (John L. Kinsey and Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf) by virtue of the presence of Right Worshipful Grand Master William J. Kelly, in an Emergent Grand Lodge, held March 30th, at the age of 62.

1896 – He expanded into New York City and continued enlarging his innovative "department" stores. He advertised effectively in newspapers and implemented a money-back customer guarantee.

1910 – His Masonic character was intimately tied to his business practice, summed up in the memorial tablet surmounting the Wanamaker Store on the celebration of its Completion Day, June 11th.

1921 – Duplicated on a ceremonial medal at the Diamond Jubilee of his business career.